"Riverside?!!" Alan exclaimed when I later shared the news. "We're not driving all the way to Riverside to go to church every Sunday." "I know, I know...it's pretty far. Can we visit there just once?" "Okay," he replied. "But just this once." Famous last words. Alan and I loved our first visit, and as we were driving home he turned to me with a wry grin and exclaimed, "I can't believe we found our new home church. In Riverside!"
Nearly fifteen years later, we are still blessed to call Harvest our home and Pastor Greg our teacher. Tomorrow (Friday) is his birthday, and we'd like to invite everyone to send him special birthday blog wishes.
Twelve Reasons Why We Love Pastor Greg
12. He is a gifted Bible teacher and evangelist.
11. He constantly challenges us to examine and live out our faith.
10. He seizes every opportunity to preach the gospel
9. He blessed our three kids by praying at their baby dedications.
8. He preaches to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."
7. He wears cool shoes (and shows them to us, too).
6. He strives for cultural relevancy yet never waters down Scripture.
5. He is still in love with his wife Cathe after 30 years of marriage.
4. He can ride a Harley, surf the swells, down a dozen Krispy Kremes and live to tell the stories.
3. He reminds us that "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."
2. He tells the funniest bald guy jokes.
1. His life goal is the same as ours: to know Christ and to make Him known.
Happy Birthday, Pastor Greg!
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
He's your pastor?? Wow! One thing I love about Pastor Laurie is that he doesn't ask to have "every head bowed and every eye closed" for the gospel call. He wants your eyes wide open and everyone fully involved. We go to a Calvary Chapel here. Do you know if Laine of Laine's Letters goes to Chuck Smith's church? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteYou look lovely, btw!
Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy birthday to Pastor Greg! Too many years ago I went forward at one of his Monday night studies at Calvary in Costa Mesa. So, that makes him kinda my spiritual dad (and Chuck Smith my spiritual grandpa?). Gosh, if he reads this I hope it doesn't make him go "oh, gee, thanks, now I really feel old!"
ReplyDeleteJust kidding!
May his ministry continue to grow stronger and our family in Christ grow bigger.
Linda...You're famous :o)
ReplyDeletePastor Greg sounds like a wonderful man.
Pastor Greg,
Happy birthday dear servant of God!
Shepherd Extraordinare!
Pastor Greg,
ReplyDeleteHappiest of Birthdays! Thank you for dedicating your life to the Lord, and for shepherding such a wonderful flock. May this year be particularly blessed for you and yours.
Dy
Happy Birthday, Pastor Greg! May the Lord continue to use you to draw others to Himself. And in coming year, may your love for Him grow sweeter.
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ,
Meredith
Happy Birthday, Pastor Greg! Have a blessed year.
ReplyDeleteLinda, what a lovely tribute to your pastor!
What a nice tribute to your pastor.
ReplyDeleteYour post says both a lot about you and him.
May the Lord bless and keep you, your family, your pastor, and church family.
PS Dropped by to look for the portuguese soup recipe.
Well, pardon my rudeness! lol! Happy Birthday a bit late, Pastor Greg! I'm sure my pastor, Mark Byrd, would extend his birthday wishes to you, as well! Take care and be blessed!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for your birthday wishes to Pastor Greg! He preached at our sister church in NY on Sunday and is headed home. So there's time if anyone else would like to add a birthday wish.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Pastor Greg,
ReplyDeleteI am a close friend of the Hayase family who the Lord sent my way in 1994-95. What I did not know at the time was how my life would change in a drastic, marvelous way. During the summers of 1995 & 1996 I attended your Harvest Crusade in Anaheim - just to be social, enjoy the outdoors and be with friends.
Questions began to creep into my thoughts as well as arguments to various principles of living - I in the world and the Lord calling me to His ways. Then, at the July 1997 Crusade in Anaheim, I found myself walking down those steps from the upper level to join the thousands accepting the Lord Jesus Christ into my life. It has been a roller coaster life since and I love every moment.
Thank you for obeying the Lord's voice as He's directed you over the years. Although I live in the San Fernando Valley/North Hills, I am privileged to attend Harvest with the Hayase's often. I also learn so much from your teaching on the radio, tapes and books.
Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord.
Blessings,
Sharon Rahn
Happy Birthday, Pastor Greg!!
ReplyDeleteWe have been so priveleged to attend Harvest on several occasions with our friends, the Hayases. (If there was ever a reason to move to Riverside, it would be to be part of your fellowship). Thank you for all you do to preach the good news to those that don't know the Lord and to encourage and challenge believers to live in ways that honor God. We love your style - straight shooter, funny, and "cool". Your messages, at church and on the radio truly minister to us and cause us to examine our lives. Our birthday prayer for you is that as you minister to us, God would immeasurably strengthen, uplift, protect, and guide you. We pray blessings upon you and your family.
Mark and Cathy Schneider
Pastor Greg sent this email:
ReplyDeleteAlan and Linda,
Thanks so much for your Birthday greetings to me on your website.
I loved your 12 reasons why you loved me, especially the ones about the fact that I still love my wife after 30 years and I can down a dozen Krispy Kremes and live to tell about it.
Please thank all those that posted birthday greetings to me as well. They were really a blessing.
In Jesus,
Greg Laurie
Blessings to you, Pastor Greg! And thanks again, everyone, for your birthday comments!